This is a freaking great YT channel.
Rule number 1 don’t talk to cops. Rule number 2 get a lawyer.
In California you are so screwed, they will use your own tax dollars to destroy your life for trying to defend yourself! That is why it is wise to get self defense insurance! These days when you defend yourself your guilty until proven inocent! Out of sight out of mind! USCCA will help you retain your freedom and property! Remeber a criminal’s family can still file a lawsuit against you!
Police are NEVER on your side. Police are on THEIR OWN side always.
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I could not disagree more with clearing your weapon. That could be taken as tampering with evidence.
I’m a retired cop and a retired lawyer. It pains me to say this, but DO NOT TALK TO THE POLICE other than to call 9-1-1 and say very generically that “I had to use my firearm to defend myself or others.” Refuse to give any specific details of the shooting. This is not go be difficult, but it is in recognition of the psychological impacts of a shooting. Most police unions have negotiated 1-3 day waiting periods after cops are involved in a shooting where they don’t have to give a statement because adrenaline and stress can block memory and distort memory. When the cops get to the scene say “I intend to cooperate fully as soon as I have had a chance to retain an attorney.”
Understand this: NOTHING you say will keep the cops from arresting you if they are out to arrest you. Nor will anything you say keep a prosecutor from prosecuting you if he is out to do so. However, an experienced defense attorney can work with the prosecution to convince them that they really have no case.
Legal defense, even when you do everything right, is very expensive. Get USCCA insurance (or similar) NOW. Every time I put my firearm in my waistband I am at more peace knowing that if the worst case happens I have a gigantic sum of money available to give me top quality legal representation (and they even post my bail).
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Never say you shot to kill someone; You shot to stop their actions.
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It’s funny. My wife is a 911 operator for LAPD (25 years on the job) and I have never asked her this question. I asked her and she said self defense shooting calls happen all the time. She said the main thing to relay to the operator is how many suspects and if the perpetrator is injured or dead. She said the ambulance will not show up until the police have cleared the area of threats so it’s very important you stay on the phone with the operator. Don’t run out your house and put the weapon in plain sight. The faster you do this the faster the ambulance can arrive for the suspects or yourself. She said that very often self defense claims are mixed in with domestic issues so more than likely you will be detained so the police can sort everything out. That was her view as a 911 operator. She also said that she would never ask the person to recount their story. The main thing is are you safe are the perpetrators away or is anyone on the floor injured.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLP_zcx6LBE&list=PLSzq53KbUIadeLFR0F1_tHf_xqGK-474W&index=6
SgtBooker44
SgtBooker44
1 month ago
Armed Scholar, great advice. Most people don’t realize what will happen immediately after a self defense shooting. My response is based on 4 decades in law enforcement equally divided in Patrol or Custody as a deputy and a sergeant. I’m not a lawyer. I don’t think I’m giving up on any trade secrets here. I have responded to a few self defense shootings. Every scenario is different. If it is a straight up some unknown person barges into your home with evil intent, which is not very common, here is what you can expect.
1. Your life has just been turned upside down
2. Your home is a crime scene and will be treated as such. At a minimum the bad guy committed the crime. The responding officers will most likely do a quick sweep of the residence to make sure there are no other victims or suspects. That is for their safety, the safety of fire and EMT’s and any other potential victim. Anything they see in plain view is fair game. Google United States vs Willie Russell Jr. Yes, I am the Sergeant in that 9th Circuit case.
3. You may be detained. in or out of handcuffs, in or out of a patrol car. That will be determined by the facts at the time. This is the time to ask when your attorney will be joining the conversation. Frequently ask, am I being detained, especially if they ask you to “step over here”, “move over there”. If you are not feeling well, tell the officers. Common reactions are light headed, nausea, faint. If there was a fight, you might be injured. Ask for medical treatment if you think you need it.
4. You and any witnesses will be separated. Your spouse, your kids and anybody else in the house. This is done so as not to taint witness statements. In a self defense incident you want witnesses to say what they saw, not what they were told afterwards.
5. The scene will be treated like what it is, a homicide crime scene. Detectives, CSI and depending on jurisdiction DA investigators will be called out and they will take their sweet time processing the scene. They only get one bite at the apple and they want to get it right. In a straight up crystal clear self defense shooting, believe it or not, they do this to protect the homeowner in the eventual civil suit that may follow. Because it may take some time, you may or may not want to leave until they are done. The onlookers, media etc, it might be a good idea. Once the investigation is done, then the Coroners office gets called to pick up the body.
6. You may be asked to go to the office to give a formal statement. If you do, it will be video and audio taped. Again, ask about that lawyer thing. You can politely decline. I have taken statements at the scene.
7. Depending on jurisdiction, you may have to clean up the mess. Blood, holes in walls etc. CSI isn’t too careful about digging bullets out of the walls. Check with your homeowners insurance to see if that’s covered. Some CCW insurance covers it. Crime scene tape, wrappers from medical treatment etc. may wind up in your garbage can. I always thought that was classless and insulting and made sure my folks hauled all that trash with us.
8. Count on the media showing up. They will not be allowed into the crime scene. They will try to talk to any neighbor, friend or family member they can to “get a story, any story.” They may come back later and knock on your door. You do not have to talk to them. Refer them to your attorney. Tell them goodbye and please leave my property.
9. Once law enforcement has completed their investigation, they will either turn the house back over to the resident or secure it as best they can. Their final report will be turned over to the District Attorney who makes the final determination on the filing of charges. You should get a letter from the District Attorney giving their final findings, again, depending on jurisdiction. In some jurisdictions the case will be presented to a a Grand a Jury. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. When they come back “Justified” or a “No Bill”, you should be golden criminally.
So how do you respond after a shooting. The initial 911 call will be recorded. Give the Call Taker sufficient information to let them know what led up to the shooting and there has been a shooting. Tell them you need medical aid and are rendering first aid to the “victim”. When the officers arrive they might not know who is who. Put the gun “away” so the scene is safe. It looks really good for you if you are trying to render aid to the victim when they get there, thinking about the civil suit that may follow. If you are doing CPR in my old jurisdiction, medics will most likely continue and haul the victim to the hospital. The officers will ask you “what happened”. Tell them what you are comfortable with and no more, then lawyer up. Tell the officers they do not have permission to look around your house, or search. If the detectives want to search later, make them get a warrant. That can be argued in court later, consent is more difficult. Your firearm will be taken as evidence, you will get it back, but it may take a while. As long as other firearms are secured, they should not be taken.
I know this was a long description, but not too many folks realize what happens after a self defense shooting. Best advice, talk to an attorney now, and explore specific insurance.
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